"If By Dull Rhymes Our English Must Be Chain'd" by John Keats

If By Dull Rhymes Our English Must Be Chain'd
by John Keats

If by dull rhymes our English must be chain'd, 
   And, like Andromeda, the Sonnet sweet 
Fetter'd, in spite of pained loveliness; 
Let us find out, if we must be constrain'd, 
   Sandals more interwoven and complete 
To fit the naked foot of poesy; 
Let us inspect the lyre, and weigh the stress 
Of every chord, and see what may be gain'd 
   By ear industrious, and attention meet: 
Misers of sound and syllable, no less 
   Than Midas of his coinage, let us be 
   Jealous of dead leaves in the bay wreath crown; 
So, if we may not let the Muse be free, 
   She will be bound with garlands of her own. 





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